Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten: Cool waterfront spot

Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten: Take a break with a tall cool one on the waterfront

Karen Reardanz

Updated 12:30 pm, Thursday, August 15, 2013

Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten on the waterfront in Oakland offers a casual, friendly vibe and has 15 beers on tap, mostly German varieties, like the Veltins Pilsner.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten on the waterfront in Oakland...

A pint of HB Maibock and Weiner schnitzel at Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten in Oakland.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

A pint of HB Maibock and Weiner schnitzel at Brotzeit Boathaus and...

Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on the waterfront in Oakland.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Brotzeit Boathaus and Biergarten offers a relaxed, friendly...

People enjoy beers at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

People enjoy beers at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., on...

The Mussels with a Konig Ludwig Weissbier at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., is seen on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

The Mussels with a Konig Ludwig Weissbier at Brotzeit Lokal in...

People enjoy beers at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

People enjoy beers at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., on...

The Mussels at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., is seen on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

The Mussels at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., is seen on...

The exterior of Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., is seen on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

The exterior of Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., is seen on...

Bartender Krista Granieri pours a beer at Brotzeit Lokal in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013.
Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle

Beer, German fare and a seaside location: That's Brotzeit, a new beer garden a few miles down from Jack London Square in Oakland.

Inhabiting a renovated boathouse along the Bay Trail, this spot embraces its waterfront setting and bay views, and gives them a German accent, serving up a well-edited selection of beers and eats along with plenty of outdoor seating. Brotzeit refers to the Bavarian custom of taking a break and having a beer, and this place is a prime spot to do both.

The vibe: Cool, relaxed and friendly.

The crowd: All kinds converge on Brotzeit - families, couples young and old, groups of friends, solo diners. We've seen kayakers dock and come in for mussels and beer. And on our last visit, a few Oakland police officers noshed on brats.

Best seat: Sunny days require a seat under an umbrella on the patio. If it's too hot, cold or crowded, try one of the tables that wrap around the inside windows. They open, making you feel as if you're outside.

Killer app: Beer-steamed mussels ($10 per 1/2 pound/$16 per pound ), sausage sandwich (most are made by hand; $8.50 or $10 with fries) and the Wiener schnitzel served with spaetzle ($14) all make fine companions to a pint. The house-made pickle plate ($5) or a German-style pretzel ($3) are good for snacking.

Signature drink: Suds are the specialty here. There are 15 beers on tap ($5-$8.50), mostly of the German variety, though there are a few Northern California beers from the likes of Marin Brewing Co. and North Coast. An additional 20 are offered by the bottle ($6-$20), including eight Belgians.

Also on tap: Three bottle ciders ($7-$16), as well as six wines by the glass ($7-$9). There's also a small assortment of nonalcoholic drinks, including fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Bonus: Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, with food specials like $5 chicken poutine and $1 oysters, plus $1 off draft beers and $1 Schlitz. Own a boat? Guest berthing is available to Brotzeit patrons. Oh, and there's a shower in the women's bathroom.